This concise, lucid study charts the complex sequence of events we know today as the War of the Roses. In the thematic chapters of the third section the author assesses the motives and relationships of the principal actors; the real character and impact of the Wars of the Roses; and the nature of Yorkist government.

INTRODUCTION TO THE SERIES v Part One: The Background 1 FIFTEENTH-CENTURY ENGLAND The Lancastrian war in France 1415-1453 1 The nobility 5 Livery and maintenance 9 Part Two: Analysis: Lancastrians and Y orkists 1437-1485 2 THE REIGN OF HENRY VI 1437-1450 13 3 CADE'S REBELLION AND THE EMERGENCE OF YORK 18 1450-1453 4 THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF LANCASTER 1453-1461 23 5 THE FIRST REIGN OF EDWARD IV 1461-1469 29 6 REBELLIONS AND THE READEPTION OF HENRY VI 1469-1471 33 7 THE SECOND REIGN OF EDWARD IV 1471-1483 38 8 THE REIGN OF EDWARD V APRIL-JUNE 1483 42 9 THE REIGN OF RICHARD III 1483-1485 47 Part Three: Assessment 10 HENRY VI AND THE LANCASTRIAN DYNASTY 52 11 EDWARD IV AND THE EARL OF WARWICK 12 MYTH AND REALITY 61 War and society 61 Richard III 65 13 YORKIST GOVERNMENT 70 14 'THE WARS OF THE ROSES' UP TO STOKE 75 Part Four: Documents 77 GENEALOGIES 100 THE BATTLES IN THE WARS OF THE ROSES 104 GLOSSARY 105 BIBLIOGRAPHY 106 INDEX